Firefighters respond to back-to-back water rescues on Ottawa River

It was a busy few hours Monday for Ottawa Fire Rescue teams who pulled four people from the Ottawa River in three separate incidents.

Water rescue teams pulled two people in distress and a pair of rafters from the water in separate incidents on the Ottawa River as record-breaking heat hit the nation’s capital Monday.

The Ottawa Fire Services say they received a 911 call reporting a swimmer in distress in the Deschenes Rapids near Britannia Beach at approximately 5:40 p.m. Monday.

“Upon arrival, we found a swimmer in distress in the rapids and we also found a jet skier who was hanging onto the back of their jet ski in distress as well,” said Ottawa Fire Services public information officer Nick Defazio.

The two people were pulled out of the river shortly before 6 p.m.

An Ottawa Paramedics Service spokesperson says one person was assessed and released at the scene.

Less than an hour later, first responders were called to the same area after getting reports of a yellow rubber raft getting stuck in the rapids.

On arrival, crews found two people stuck on a small island who were not in distress.

The Ottawa Fire Services water rescue team helped the pair return to shore at 6:53 p.m.

“The Deschenes Rapids continue to be the most common location for water rescue calls in our city,” Defazio said.

“We urge all residents to be aware of the hazards in this area and to exercise extreme caution when on or near the water.”

The Lifesaving Society recommends only swimming when lifeguards are on duty and to always swim with a buddy.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dave Charbonneau

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